Salman joins Mumbaikars for Ganesh immersion

Bollywood actors Salman Khan and Govinda today joined several Mumbaikars in biding emotional adieu to Lord Ganesh on first day of `visarjan' (immersion).

Among the prominent personalities who visited Salman's residence at suburban Bandra for the Ganesh puja ahead of immersion were Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray, cricketer Yuvraj Singh and actress Katrina Kaif.

Thousands of Ganpati idols, mostly household ones, were immersed at beaches and lakes like Girgaum Chowpatty, Juhu, Marve, Gorai and Dadar admist chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudchya Varshi Lavkar Ya (a popular slogan hailing the elephant-headed God and urging him to come early next year).

Nearly 40,000 civic employees and 500 life guards have been deployed across mandals and beaches for smooth conduct of processions and immersion.

Nearly 44 motorboats and 12 fire brigade boats with necessary equipment have been stationed at major immersion sites across the metropolis.

The annual Ganeshotsav celebrations, that began yesterday, did not dampen the spirits of Mumbaikars as they welcomed their beloved deity despite swine flu scare and terror alerts in the metropolis.

Braving rains, devotees formed a beeline to offer prayers at the Ganesh idol set up by one of the richest and famous mandals, 'Lalbaugcha Raja' in Parel.